A/N: I do not own Inuyasha or any of the characters. I am merely borrowing them in order to vent my creative juices while I take a break from studying for my college classes.

Chapter One

Lost and Lonely

Kagome was hopelessly lost and she knew it. It had been days since she had been separated from her friends. She was cold, her clothes were torn, and more than anything she was desperately frightened.

They had been chasing a jewel shard as usual, Inuyasha had been leaping through the tree branches, Sango and Miroku riding through the sky on Kirara. Kagome had been riding on Shippo as they followed the others. She could sense the shard getting closer and closer, the demon was not far ahead at all. They just needed to push a little harder and faster and they would catch up with the thief. They were getting so close to completing the jewel. There were very few shards left. Soon they could defeat Naraku and save the feudal era from his evil. Nothing had ever driven Kagome so much. Never had she felt a calling like this. She knew it was her fault and her responsibility to find all the shikon shards, to make the jewel whole again and fix her mistake.

"Inuyasha!" She had called out. "The demon is right ahead of us! I can feel it!" Then out of nowhere they had been ambushed. A giant dragon demon had come out of the tree tops and attacked Shippo. Kagome fell to the ground as she listened to Shippo yell in furious pain. She had hit the dirt with a thud and screamed, "Inuyasha!" knowing the little fox demon was in danger. The dragon was enormous, with green scales, terrible black eyes, the young priestess lay in the shadow cast by the great beast. If the miko hadn't already been in countless fights this demon would've given her a heart attack, but Kagome was no longer a stranger to monsters in this world. Inuyasha, Sango, and Miroku had come tearing through the trees to fight off the attacker. Kagome ran to grab the unconscious fox kit who had taken a terrible blow to the head and fallen about twenty feet from where she herself had landed. She held Shippo close while she found a safe place to hide him. She had wanted to help her friends. The miko knew she offered very little in a fight, but she needed every opportunity she could find to practice her growing spiritual powers. After stuffing Shippo a safe distance away beneath a large tree root, Kagome had run back to where her friends were fighting. Hiraikotsu flew through the air above her head as it struck the dragon in its side. Kirara growled and leapt onto the demon's head, Inuyasha had unsheathed Tetsusaiga, waiting for the perfect moment to unleash the wind scar. Kagome had run to grab her bow and arrow when another demon, a giant snake, appeared from behind a tree, right in front of where she stood. It hissed at her and she instantly knew that this was the demon they had been chasing. She could feel the jewel shards and the immense power this snake demon now possessed. Moving as quickly as she could she pulled her arrow back trying to strike the demon before it could get to her, but she had been too slow. It lunged at her and coiled itself around her, squeezing slowly.

"Now why would you want to go and try to purify me, little priestess," it had hissed at her. Annoyed at the demon's attempt to stop her Kagome called as much power as she could and used her light to burn the snake, causing it to loosen its grip on her. Just enough for her to slip free. Trying again for her bow Kagome aimed directly at the snake's tail where she could sense the jewel shard and concentrated as much energy as she was allowed, making a direct hit. The snake had screamed in pain as the light began to purify the end of his body, but his scream soon turned to laughter. The demon had three shards in his possession. Yes he had been wounded but he was by no means out of this fight. The demon had bared his fangs at her, the miko had been too slow to react. The snake bit her, driving poison right into her blood stream. Her vision had gone blurry and her legs had begun to feel weak, the last thing Kagome could remember, was whispering, "Inuyasha," before her whole world had gone black.

When she had finally woken back up she was alone in the same forest where her friends had been fighting. Still feeling weak, Kagome had stumbled to her feet and called out her friends names, hoping for anything. She limped to where she had hidden Shippo but he wasn't where she had left him. Panic started to overwhelm her as she realized she had no idea where her friends were, or the two demons they had been fighting. Feeling completely helpless the young miko started walking, trying to sense her friend's auras but feeling nothing. She couldn't feel any living thing around her. Three days later Kagome was still walking in the same damnable forest.

For the past three days she had wandered, not having any clue where she was or where she was going. All she knew was she needed to keep going. She had found little streams to drink water from, and some berries to sustain her growling stomach. But now days later here Kagome was, standing at the edge of a beautiful lake. The water was pristine and calm, no ripples disturbed its serene blue cover. A waterfall adorned the opposite side from where she stood, at least twenty feet high. The waterfall plunged over a rock wall into the lake. She could see little openings behind the cascading water which meant she could probably find shelter in there. The shikon miko decided this would be where she would rest for the night. In the morning she could follow the river which flowed over the waterfall and into the lake. The river had to lead to a village at some point right? Yes, that seemed like the best plan considering her current circumstances. Following the edge of the lake she scanned the area to see if there was any food, a berry bush or maybe a large stick she could whittle into a spear and catch a fish with. She walked into the tree line, looking around, but not venturing far from the lake, not wanting to get anymore lost than she already was. Kagome saw birch trees, and large flowers along the ground, but nothing edible. So she walked a little further in. It was then, she noticed a presence.

It was very small. She could barely feel its aura. It felt familiar. Curious, she started walking in that direction. The aura didn't feel dangerous at all, it felt pure. Walking even closer, the aura grew. It was walking in her direction too! It's purity began to overwhelm Kagome. Who was this person? It felt so familiar, it was definitely someone she had met, someone she knew! Had she found people? Was she finally going to be safe again? She started walking faster, almost running.

"Hello?" She called out. Then the aura stopped. So Kagome stopped walking too. "Hello?" She yelled again. "Is someone there?" She started to slowly approach the presence again.

"Hello?" A little voice called out to Kagome. It was a little girl, Kagome could tell. An innocent little girl. "My name is Kagome." She called out to the girl. And with that the aura started rushing towards her, the girl was running at her. She could hear crashing as whoever it was came hurtling through the woods, and then out from behind a bush, she appeared. It was Rin!

"Miss Kagome! What are you doing here? I'm so glad I found you! I'm lost! I can't find Sesshomaru-sama!" And the little girl erupted into tears.

"It's okay Rin, shhh," The miko attempted to comfort the child. "I'm here." The little girl's crying continued. Kagome continued to try and calm Rin's sobbing. "And we'll find help together okay. I won't leave you. Come with me, I'll find us a place to sleep for the night and then we can keep looking in the morning."

Rin stared at her with big eyes that were clearly frightened. Kagome couldn't understand. She knew Sesshomaru hated humans, he thought they were all filthy scum, but he had taken a liking to this little one and she followed him everywhere obediently. It had been that way for awhile now but here Rin was all alone. She didn't want to believe that Sesshomaru would abandon Rin, it just seemed so unlikely, but why else would the little girl be out here without him? Damn him! If he left her in the woods without anyway of caring or defending herself Kagome would surely find a way to slowly and painfully purify him until he begged and screamed for mercy from her. Abandoning Rin was a completely heartless thing to do. Kagome led the small girl back to the lake, still searching for food, unsure of when the last time the child ate.

"Rin? How long have you been alone?"

"About a day Kagome-chan. I was playing in the woods with master Jaken and Ah-Un. Lord Sesshomaru was off doing stuff that I don't know about. I think he might have gone to go find that bad man Naraku, but I don't l know." Rin hiccupped as she tried to tell Kagome what had happened. "He doesn't tell this Rin about that, he says it's not for children's ears. I wandered a little ways from master Jaken because he was complaining again that Lord Sesshomaru loves Rin more than him, and I saw the prettiest flower. I wanted to pick it for Lord Sesshomaru, but when I picked it a big scary snake came at me and I screamed. Master Jaken tried to use his staff to save me but the snake picked me up and ran away. He was faster than Ah-Un and Master Jaken. I screamed a lot, and then he stopped and dropped me on the ground, he said he was going to eat me but then more snake demons came out of the trees and they said that THEY wanted to eat me. They started fighting and while they were fighting I ran away as fast as I could. I've been hiding and hoping that Sesshomaru-sama will come find me but he hasn't yet. I miss him Miss Kagome."

Kagome felt relieved that at least Sesshomaru hadn't abandoned the child. They had both been attacked by the same snake demon probably. That may have been why it had been able to run so fast with her, the power of the jewels gave it speed, like they do to Koga. "I'm sure Lord Sesshomaru will find you soon Rin. He's probably beating Jaken for losing you. I'll take care of you until then too, we're both lost but we don't have to be alone anymore."

Kagome set up a makeshift camp in one of the rock crevices by the waterfall. She left Rin inside safely while she prepared a spear to catch them some food and built a fire to keep Rin warm. Night would descend very quickly and as winter was approaching the evenings had been downright chilly. Kagome successfully caught a fish for each of them, she had fallen into the lake in the process, but at least they'd both be fed tonight. The child was very quiet the whole time that Kagome prepared the food, and the silence was really starting to bother her.

"Rin. How did Lord Sesshomaru find you in the first place?" the young woman asked the child.

"This Rin used to live in a village, with lots of people. I was walking in the woods one day by the village when I found Lord Sesshomaru. He was hurt and he had pretty hair so I brought him food. But he wouldn't eat it. I kept visiting him, but then the villagers found out I took fish and they beat me up. I went to see him again and he asked me how I got hurt. I was scared to talk, he's a very big man, but I told him. Then one day wolf demons came to the village and they started killing everyone I ran to the woods to find Lord Sesshomaru, I was scared. But before I got to him the wolves caught me. There were a lot of them. They were all over me, and then I don't remember anything. It was really dark. I couldn't open my eyes. But then all of a sudden I could. And there he was standing there, putting his sword away. He must have scared the wolves away with his sword and he saved me. So instead of going back to the village, I followed him and master Jaken. He got me a pretty new kimono. I love Sesshomaru-sama."

Rin finished her story. Tensaiga? Kagome wondered. The only sword that Sesshomaru had was the healing sword. From the story it sounded like Rin died without knowing it and Sesshomaru used Tensaiga to bring her back to life! Maybe Sesshomaru wasn't such a cold rough beast after all. If he could show this small child such compassion then possibly, there was hope for Inuyasha's half-brother. Or maybe he was just testing the sword's powers on her. Kagome would have to figure that one out. Not that Sesshomaru would ever tell her. He was after all the Lord of the Western lands. He had no patience for humans, save Rin. He finds his brother to be an abomination, as a half demon. And she was the shikon miko, so to him she must be perhaps one of the most detestable types of human that there are. She was curious though. Sesshomaru was certainly confusing.

"It's getting late Rin. You should get some sleep. We may have a lot of traveling to do tomorrow. I don't know how close Sesshomaru is to finding you."

"Ok Miss Kagome, this Rin is very tired anyway." Kagome sat by the fire until Rin's breathing became steady and she was sure the girl was asleep. Kagome treaded softly to the entrance of their cave and looked up at the moon. Where were Inuyasha, Sango, Miroku and Shippo? Were they alright? How did she get left behind? There were so many concerns coursing through her head. She just didn't understand how all of this could have happened. Had they thought she was dead? And even if they had thought that they certainly wouldn't have left her body there, they would have carried her back to Kaede's village and buried her properly. Nothing was making sense. Something was definitely very wrong.

Kagome concentrated on the surrounding area to make sure nothing dangerous was nearby. The only things she could sense were the auras of small animals scurrying in the night. She closed her eyes and listened softly. She could hear crickets, an owl was hooting nearby. A fish splashed into the lake. It was exquisitely peaceful here. But they couldn't stay. It wasn't safe. Between her own situation and what happened to Rin, this part of the woods was obviously home to a nest of snake youkai. They were both lucky that they had only been attacked once each.

A faint tickle pinged at Kagome's senses. Something was out there. The miko stretched her powers as far as she could to feel the aura that was at the edge of her senses. There was definitely something there. Something extremely powerful. It wasn't huge, but it was larger than her. Kagome stepped back into the shadows of her cave dwelling. She didn't know who that was out there, if they were friendly or not and she didn't want to take her chances, not with Rin to protect. She picked the sleeping child up and moved her further into the darkness of the cave. She placed another blanket over Rin to hide her better and put out the fire, so it wouldn't draw any attention. Sitting back in the cave she felt the surrounding area again. Whoever that was out there was getting closer. The aura held an immense amount of power but it felt neither dangerous nor pure. It was neutral, blank almost. This worried her. Whoever this person was may not be dangerous, but the aura seemed unhuman. A demon perhaps? The aura would've felt different if it were a demon. Maybe? She still had little knowledge with how her abilities worked. It was like a giant guessing game almost. Oh God she wished her friends were here.

She slowly crept a little further into the cave. The stars in the clear sky illuminated the entire lake and gave it an eerie silver glow. The grass along the lakeside bent slightly in the gentle breeze that swept across the entire area. An owl hooted again close by, breaking the unsettling silence. Kagome was getting a horribly ominous feeling. She felt blindly behind her for her bow and arrow, knowing that it was the only protection she would have to defend Rin in case whatever was out there found them in here. It was very still outside, the wind had died. She saw a squirrel scurry up to the water, it was then that Kagome made an important realization. The sky was clear and she could see hundred of brilliant stars reflecting in the water. But where was the moon? It was a new moon tonight! Wherever Inuyasha was, he was fully human at the moment. Oh kami she hoped he was safe. That would explain why she hadn't been found just yet. Inuyasha was at his weakest right now, he was probably trying to hide in order to survive the night. She hated not knowing what had happened. If she had only been faster at defending herself from the damn snake. If he hadn't bitten her, she would be around a campfire, talking with Sango, and holding Shippo in her lap. Miroku would be making lewd comments, and Inuyasha would be perched in a tree looking over them, waiting for the night to end and for his hanyou powers to return. If Kagome had been able to kill that snake then Rin would probably still be with Sesshomaru and not stuck in a cold, damp cave with a little miko to barely protect her. This was definitely all her fault, she thought to herself.

A rustling from across the lake interrupted Kagome's thoughts. Whoever she had felt earlier had found the clearing and the beautiful lake. She still could not see who it was, they stayed where they were, concealed in the tree line. Damn. She felt fear creeping into her body as her breathing became faster.

The person stepped out of the bushes and into the clearing. Naraku! No wonder she hadn't been able to tell who it was, she had been lucky to even feel his aura at all, even Miroku couldn't do that. Damn! Damn, damn, damn! What was she to do? She couldn't fight Naraku all by herself. Did he feel her presence, was it just chance that he was here as well? She crouched down into the shadows to conceal herself as best she could. He better not see me, or it will be the end of Rin and I, she thought to herself. Bow and arrow in hand she kept her eyes on Naraku, never leaving him, bow ready to be drawn in case things went awry. Naraku stood at the edge of the water, just staring at nothing in particular. He was too far away for her to read his facial expressions. What was he down there doing and thinking? He begin moving his head, as if looking around for something in particular. Then all of a sudden he was staring right at her, into the cave she was hiding in. No! No, he can't see her, no she was in perfect darkness, he couldn't be able to see her, there was no way! He made no movements and made no reactions either. Maybe he was just staring, please Kami, the miko prayed, give me this one break, he doesn't know I'm here. Naraku turned away. He began to stare into the trees again, near where her cave opening was. There was something there too! A second aura she had completely missed. Oh no. What is going on? Kagome felt a powerful demonic aura emerging from the forest. It was the snake demon! The snake slithered up to the water. Did it not see Naraku? The snake youkai dipped its head into the water, enjoying the coolness of it. The dark hanyou began to move towards it, suddenly the snake youkai snapped its head up and hissed at Naraku, who merely laughed at the demon's attempt to frighten him away.

What occurred next, happened so quickly that Kagome barely had time to register what was conspiring. Naraku leaped onto the beast and tore into its flesh. The snake uttered an ungodly scream that made Kagome's bones shutter. She closed her eyes quickly, afraid. Rin stirred and woke, utterly confused and clearly just as frightened.

"Shhh." Kagome told her. "We don't want them to know we are here Rin. We have to be ghosts." Rin nodded her head, understanding how imperative it was for them to be silent. Kagome watched as the snake demon spun around, and shook its body furiously, trying to rid itself of Naraku. But he was determined, he knew that it had jewel shards. Kagome watched helplessly. She didn't want Naraku to get the shards, but knew she had no way of fighting him off. Silently she prayed for a miracle, anything or anyone. She needed help. Naraku held onto the youkai's head as it tried to defend itself from the attacker. It bit into Naraku's leg, and Naraku thrust his hands further into the demon's body, reaching and searching for the jewel shards. The snake was able to get ahold of Naraku's foot and flung him off of its back. Naraku landed by the water's edge. Deeply wounded the snake pulled itself up, ready to attack its offender. The snake had no idea what it was up against. Naraku laughed again, knowing that he would be the victor. Both demon and hanyou rushed towards each other. The snake plowed into Naraku's stomach, throwing him off balance, but not before Naraku was able to strike at the demon's face, leaving terrible gashes. Attack after attack they fought each other. The blue lake began to turn crimson as both spilled blood. However, the snake's attacks grew weaker as Naraku continued to tear away at the youkai's flesh. After what seemed an eternity but could only have been ten minutes, Naraku tore the snake's head off, sending it flying through the air into the lake, where it slowly descended to the bottom. Laughing again, Naraku bent down and took the shards that the demon had possessed. Anger filled Kagome. She desperately wished there was something she could do. Naraku was getting too strong. He held the shards in his hand and just stared at them. What is he doing? Kagome wondered.

"Little Miko, you can come out now. Aren't you going to take my shards and purify them?" Naraku taunted. Kagome gasped. No, no, no, he can't know we're here. Her legs started shaking, bow ready she stood in front of Rin. She knew she was no match for Naraku, he would finally kill her here, and God only knew what he would do to poor Rin. Rin began to cry. The little girl had recognized the voice outside and knew it was the bad man Naraku.

Kagome closed her eyes, trying to ready herself for the inevitable. This was definitely not how she had wanted her life to end. Alone. Helpless. But she would do everything she could to help Rin escape the fiend that was coming towards them. She watched his approach, every step brought his face more into focus and Kagome could see an insane smile spread across his mouth. About ten feet from the entrance to the cave, he stopped, looking confused. He sensed something. It was then that Kagome sensed another being close by, she hadn't even noticed it, how stupid could she be. A third aura that she had again not even noticed, Kami she was a terrible priestess. It was a familiar presence too. Help! Oh goodness help was actually here! The aura was coming towards them very quickly, with inhuman speed, it was definitely a demon. Or a hanyou? Inuyasha? Naraku turned in the direction of whatever was coming and snarled.

"Of course you're going to interrupt me!" He screamed at whoever it was. Kagome couldn't see it, but it was definitely not someone Naraku wanted to see. A flash of silver crossed into Kagome's view and the beast was on top of Naraku. They moved too quickly and were suddenly out of her eyesight. She rushed forward out of the cave, bow still in hand. She saw them tumbling in the water. Whoever it was, was attempting to drown Naraku. Then in an instant he was in the air as Naraku kicked him off. The attacker landed on his feet and rushed Naraku once again. Claws tore at each other as they brutally tried to kill the other. More blood tainted the pool as they fought ruthlessly. Kagome aimed quickly, pushing her light into her arrow. She had very few arrows left, the young priestess had to make this shot count. Breathing in, Kagome released her powers. The arrow struck Naraku in his side. He turned and hissed at her, visibly wounded. Angry at the fact that the miko's powers were burning him, Naraku fled the clearing. Kagome ran towards the being that had come at the perfect moment to save them, only to stop after a few steps. She knew this person. He clearly had gashes from the fight and he was having trouble breathing. Blood stained his silver hair, and dripped from his claws. He stared at her with angry golden eyes, a cut ran down his face, marring the purple streaks that adorned his pale face. Sesshomaru had been the one to save them. "Where's Rin?" He muttered before stumbling.

Rin came sprinting out of the cave. "Sesshomaru! Lord Sesshomaru! I knew you would find me." The little girl was elated that her saviour had once again been there to protect her. But Kagome grabbed Rin before she could reach him, not wanting the child to see the extent of his injuries. Rin struggled against Kagome, wanting to be in the arms of the demon who was like a father to her.

"No Rin, he's been hurt, you need to stay here while I try to heal him ok?" Rin nodded, fearful. She had never seen Sesshomaru wounded so badly. Kagome knew that the Western Lord would not be happy about a human miko helping him, but he needed it, and Kagome would never let that stand in her way from doing the right thing. Kagome stepped forward and reached a hand out hesitantly towards the demon. The youkai snarled at her and limped past towards Rin and the cave. He disappeared behind the waterfall with the little girl right behind. Kagome quickly followed.

She used the little bit of medicine that was left in her bag to create a salve, hoping it would soothe the pain he was feeling. His golden eyes followed her actions the whole time she treated him. The whole thing felt beyond surreal to the teenager. She was helping Sesshomaru of all people. His breath was ragged but he put up little resistance when she insisted on aiding him with her medicine. When she finished applying the salve the youkai continued to glare at her silently. Unsure of what else to do the miko retreated to the other side of the cavern. Rin had already fallen back asleep in her Lord's lap. Laying down in the uncomfortable silence Kagome wrapped herself in her blanket and stared back at the demon never taking her eyes off him until her eyelids became too heavy and she drifted off to sleep.


*This is my first fanfiction, and there's more to come, this is only the first chapter.

** I originally started writing this 6 years ago and ended up having to abandon it to senior year chaos. Post graduation I lived pretty meekly and didn't have internet access for a few years. Those student loans don't pay themselves. But now I'm back and really eager to get back into writing for fun. I've started editing the three chapters I wrote initially for this on top of writing new chapters to continue the story.

So reviews are definitely welcomed and encouraged. Constructive criticism is good, but please no flames. I'm sensitive lol ^_^

As always, I do not own Inuyasha, I'm just merely a fan, it's my favorite anime, and I find Sesshy to be such a dynamic character that I couldn't help myself.

Hope you all enjoyed!